Time: there never seems to be enough of it. As we turn the calendar to a new year, we look ahead at the time we’re given and how we can be intentional and focused with it. Prioritizing your family – especially your kids – is key to their success and development, too. So, as you look toward the rest of 2025, consider these tips on how to be intentional with your children.
Remember that they are unique.
Whether you have just one child, or there are several in your household, each child is uniquely created with their own gifts, talents, and interests. When you think about being intentional with them, consider what makes them tick and how you can pour into that. For example, find ways to do things together that they love doing. Maybe it’s attending a sporting event to see a team they follow, it’s signing up for a pottery class that you can do together, or it’s simply carving out time each week to go for a drive and grab a special drink or dinner. Each child’s personality is different and finding ways that make them feel special and built up is important to their self-esteem and confidence.
Maintain consistency.
Children thrive on routine and notice when we are consistent in what we say we’ll do. So, work on following through this year. This shows that you care and that you’re reliable. This gives your kids a sense of stability that makes them feel safe. In turn, this can bring about better behavior and cultivate a stronger relationship that will weather the hard ups and downs of growing up.
Avoid distractions and focus on connection.
Life is busy and gets hectic. All parents understand how easy it is to get distracted and overwhelmed. That’s why it’s critical to commit to connection with your children. So, when you’re with them, actually be with them. Turn off your phone or put it away in another room. Keep the television or iPad screen off and be intentional about what you’re doing together. This allows for better connection and bonding, opens up conversations that may not have been brought up before, and truly gives you the opportunity to connect on a new level.
Start small.
Even small efforts to be intentional with your kids can make a huge impact. For example, simply chat on car rides with them and come up with some fun questions that stir up conversation. Or, at bedtime, allow for a little extra time to sit with them and talk about their day or about what they’re looking forward to that week. Another idea is to do household chores together – fold laundry, put away dishes, or organize the playroom together. Find a way to make it enjoyable or even into a game, so you can get the job done but also have fun being together. After school, sit down with them for a snack. Read a book together and find 15 minutes a day to read it out loud. Older kids can help you prepare dinner. All these small things can facilitate bonding and teach kids important life skills!
To be an intentional parent, you must be deliberate and disciplined. Come up with ideas that could work for each of your children, then make a goal to work toward that. It’s not about adding more “stuff” to your already full plate. It’s truly about enjoying the moments with your children and establishing a strong and lasting foundation for your relationship that can last well into adulthood.